Secretomics of Plant-Fungus Associations: More Secrets to Unravel

Volume 1 • Issue 5 • 1000e117 J Plant Biochem Physiol ISSN: 2329-9029 JPBP, an open access journal The versatility of fungi allows them to associate with plants in many ways. When interacting with a live organism, a fungus will invade its plant host and manipulate its metabolisms either detrimentally or beneficially, depending on whether the fungus is a pathogen or a symbiote. Many crop diseases originate from fungal pathogen attacks targeting above and belowground plant organs, which cause massive yield losses. The majority of tree species develop symbiotic relationships with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, widening their root network, thus enhancing nutrient absorption and growth. These beneficial soil fungi are also present in agricultural crops, increasing tolerance against unfavourable biotic or abiotic conditions thereby positively impacting yields. When growing off dead plant tissue, fungi contribute to the general carbon cycling. Saprophytic fungi such as the white-rot basidiomycetes use lignocellulosic compounds for their own development as they are able to biochemically break it down.